Problem with a DODGE!-started leaking again 1/2

[lak2004]

Ok so I did the front pads and rotors on a 97 dodge ram 2500 yesterday. when I did them the pass side axle shaft came out a little bit and started leaking gear oil. The guy just called me and said it is still leaking. I have no clue what the hell I did and I need to get it fixed this weekend. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

 

[GsxrMike]

I would say you are going to have to replace the seal.

 

[lak2004]

how much of a pain in the azz is that?

 

[Mudstud]

Do these trucks have a seal right there at the end of the axle- the tubes have oil inside them? If so I would think the seal would be relatively easy to change. The drag is you'll have to pull everything back off to get to it.

You sure you wiped off all the oil that had run out? Maybe he's seeing the residual that had collected somewhere?

 

[lak2004]

Well I told him that it would run out some because its the long side of the axle. But he called to say its still leaking. I dont think there is a seal on the end. I think it is at the diff.

 

[DEMON44]

that tubes are dry, the seals are inboard at the carrier. theres a dust seal at the end thats all thats for.

 

[4X4HIGH]

In order to change the axle seals the axles and carrier have to be removed. Not a fun job for such a cheap part.

 

[Jason4x4]

I think those might still be the vacuum actualed axles too, if so, even bigger PIA.

 

[DEMON44]

it is the central axle disconnect (cad) but how long has it been since the brake job?

of the axle slid out, some oil may have dropped into the tube. and be running out...not actually leaking from the seal. my money is on that. not a bum seal.

heres what I'd do. grab a couple cans or 1 of brake clean. park the truck on a slight side hill, the pass side down. remove the CAD cover and spray the begeezus out of the tube...hopefully have a blowgun with air. to blow it out dry after. run it a few days a week. see what happens.

if you get a good chug of oil in there it can take for ever to stop leaking out. mine had done that in the past.

 

[GsxrMike]

If the truck has CAD then I would think you pulled the shaft out of there. On CAD there are 3 shafts. I don't think you pulling the driverside shaft out would even affect the middle shaft. The CAD area isn't filled with gear lube is it?

 

[lak2004]

it is the central axle disconnect (cad) but how long has it been since the brake job?

of the axle slid out, some oil may have dropped into the tube. and be running out...not actually leaking from the seal. my money is on that. not a bum seal.

heres what I'd do. grab a couple cans or 1 of brake clean. park the truck on a slight side hill, the pass side down. remove the CAD cover and spray the begeezus out of the tube...hopefully have a blowgun with air. to blow it out dry after. run it a few days a week. see what happens.

if you get a good chug of oil in there it can take for ever to stop leaking out. mine had done that in the past.

It has only been 24 hrs. Thats why I think he just needs to wait for it to stop.

If the truck has CAD then I would think you pulled the shaft out of there. On CAD there are 3 shafts. I don't think you pulling the driverside shaft out would even affect the middle shaft. The CAD area isn't filled with gear lube is it?

What is CAD? I dont know what the truck has, all new to me.

 

[GsxrMike]

CAD = Central Axle Disconnect...It is a vacuum operated switch that disconnects the drivers side axle eliminating the need for manual hubs. I know enough about older dodges to drive a chevy. Exept maybe a cummins...

And I agree that you should maybe clean up the old gear oil and wait a week or so to make sure the seal is leaking.

 

[lak2004]

Ok back to the top. Guy called me the other day and said it started leaking again. How can I tell what axle it is and how to fix it? How do I know if it is the CAD axle or not? Thanks

 

[apache]

Been a while but If its like my 95 2500 4wd then on the pass side of the front axle theres a vaccum operated switch with small plastic vac lines to it thats obvious,otherwise it would be just a straight tube like a normal hub setup to the end where the knuckle is. If im not mistaken a brake job in front does not require touching the outer axle, if it did the inner where the diff/axle seal is isnt disturbed anyhow as the axle is 2 sections with their own respective seal setups. If the outer axle must come out its a PITA due to the single cartridge type wheel bearing held in by the 12pt bolts on the inner side of the backing plate.
Personally I cant see the seal literally falling apart that quick,seapage and small amounts of leakage wouldent stop me from driving it anywhere until I had the time and motivation to remove the axles,and carrier simply to replace a $2.50 seal,its a time consuming job to say the least. My 95 had continuious probelms with the seals,axle U joints and bad ball joints,seems to be another Dodge thing for some reason. I see that somebody makes some pretty high tech cartridge type inner seals for them and also while in their Id replace the axle joints with some good quality spicers as well as check the commonly failing ball joints and use MOOG ONLY. Do it all,do it once the right way,You`ll be way better off, DAHIK.